Leaders and activists from various affiliates of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal, assembled in large numbers for a protest walk towards the Indian Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday (8 December).
The demonstration was held in condemnation of the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala and the desecration of the national flag.
The protest began after 9am outside the BNP's central office in Naya Paltan, where party activists started gathering.
Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP, Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, was present at the scene, lending his support to the movement.
Protesters, chanting slogans against Indian aggression and raising party slogans, marched from Nightingale Crossing and Fakirapool Junction, converging outside the BNP headquarters.
A press release issued on Saturday by Nurul Islam Sohel, Office Secretary of Jubo Dal, had announced the protest programme.
The release detailed that a joint initiative of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal would see a protest march starting at 10am from Naya Paltan, culminating in the submission of a memorandum at the Indian Embassy.
The presidents and general secretaries of the three organisations – Abdul Monayem Munna and Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan (Jubo Dal), SM Zilani and Rajib Ahsan (Swechchhasebak Dal), and Rakibul Islam Rakib and Nasir Uddin Nasir (Chhatra Dal) – had directed members at all levels to participate spontaneously and on time.
The protest march highlighted the political tensions between the two nations and drew significant attention to the dissatisfaction among BNP supporters over recent incidents involving the national flag and diplomatic offices.
